Section I: TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
4-1.
INTRODUCTION
a. In order to do the right thing from the moral, legal, and technical standpoint,
you need to have a clear perception of the requirements and limitations of your job.
You must know what your duties are and what authority has been delegated to you. In
a previous lesson, the practice of medicine was described as the blending of technical
expertise, caring, and ethical values. (See MD0066, Lesson 1.) A realistic
understanding of the scope of practice will contribute to an increased effectiveness in
b. In this lesson we will consider the technical knowledge required to become a
radiographer or x-ray technologist, the practice or practical application of that
knowledge to the clinical setting, the specific duties officially designated for each skill
level, and scope-of-practice situations in the radiology department which may give rise
to actions for liability for negligence.
4-2.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE BASE
a. Knowledge, the Foundation of Clinical Practice. As an x-ray technologist,
you must be able to conduct radiographic examinations that meet current acceptable
medical standards. You must be able to provide quality radiographs that aid physicians
in diagnosing a patient's condition. You also have to function with skill and confidence
in clinical situations at fixed or field installations, demonstrating your knowledge of a
number of technical subject areas that form the basis of radiography. As soon as you
enter the clinical phase of your training (Phase II), you'll have to demonstrate a working
knowledge of such subjects as medical terminology, x-ray equipment, examinations,
and radiographic production. A well-prepared radiographer is one who has a solid
foundation in all of these areas.
b. Standardized Curriculum. The basic curriculum is the one that has been
adopted by the American College of Radiology (ACE), the American Medical
Association (AMA), the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and the
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The Army
in compliance with the Consumer-Patient Radiation Safety Act of 1981 adopted this
curriculum. Successful completion of the curriculum in the resident phase of your
training at the Academy of Health Sciences (AHS), US Army, and the clinical training
phase at various US Army Medical Facilities does not signal the end of training. In a
constantly changing field, such as radiology (which, of necessity, impacts on
radiography), it is imperative that you take responsibility for your own continuing
education if you want to keep current in the field. In the past, promotions were based
on seniority and the amount of responsibility an individual assumed. A senior
radiographer responsible for supervising a particular area in the department of radiology
MD0067
4-2